Manuel Neuer has retired from international football for the second time after Germany's World Cup exit. The 40-year-old goalkeeper, who was coaxed out of retirement just before the tournament, confirmed in TV interviews that Monday's penalty-shootout defeat to Paraguay would be his last international game.
"Yes," he told broadcaster Sportschau when asked if that was it, while he told Magenta TV he would not play on. "No. It's very bitter to end it like this."
Career Highlights and Final Match
Neuer made his Germany debut in 2009 and was the sole surviving member of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad. He played 128 games for Germany. In the shootout against Paraguay, Neuer saved a penalty but three German players missed their spot kicks, leading to the defeat.
Return from Retirement
Neuer had already retired from international football after the 2024 European Championship and had insisted he wouldn't return. Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann had taken over as Germany's No 1, following injuries to Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. Despite denials from Neuer and Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann, speculation about the legend's potential return continued until Nagelsmann included the Bayern Munich goalkeeper in his World Cup squad, demoting Baumann to back-up.
The move didn't pay off. Neuer saved a penalty in the shootout against Paraguay but it wasn't enough as three German players missed their spot kicks.
